With my mom in town for Mother’s Day weekend, The Astronomer and I decided to let her in on some wedding planning fun. So far, the only items crossed off our lengthy to-do list were wooing a bride, snagging a groom, and bagging the perfect dress. With mom’s expert eye to help us, I was hoping we’d soon nail down a venue. First stop, Greystone Mansion. [Images and assessment after the jump.]

After thoroughly inspecting the impeccable Beverly Hills property, we drove to Hollywood for lunch. Not sure where to refuel, my mom suggested we hit up Tony C. for advice. Mothers do know best. At the recommendation of my personal concierge Tony, we headed to one of his favorite brunch spots, AMMO.

Our midday meal at AMMO came a week after Executive Chef Julia Wolfson’s departure from the kitchen. Wolfson most notably earned two-and-a-half stars from the L.A. Times during her tenure. Food and service tends to suffer during chef shake-ups, but with owner Amy Sweeney at the helm, we were confident that we’d be fed and treated well.

My mom ordered a Pizza Margherita ($15), which arrived fresh from AMMO’s wood-burning oven. The golden crust was beautifully blistered, while the mozzarella cheese melted into gooey pools. With a pizza this simple, each ingredient must be up to snuff or else the entire pie is doomed (See: Gjelina). AMMO’s commitment to using only the very best ingredients from local sources was apparent in every satisfying bite.

I ordered a grilled ham and cheese sandwich ($13) with Gruyère, Niman Ranch ham, and caramelized shallots on country white bread. A simply dressed Romaine and shredded red cabbage salad was served on the side. Similar to the pizza Margherita, the success of the panini was the result of stellar ingredients assembled thoughtfully.

The Astronomer’s French toast with caramelized apples, maple syrup, and crème fraîche ($11) was a winner as well. Whereas restaurant-style French toasts are usually desserts in disguise, AMMO’s creation exhibited restraint. The caramelized apples retained their snap and tartness, while the cinnamon bioche had some bite and complexity. Overall, a really delicious and interesting interpretation of French toast.

I’m glad to hear that you had a good experience. I loved Ammo (and their pizza) when Wolfson was there and am still depressed that she is gone. I hope Wolfson lands somewhere, because she is thoughtful and can simply cook. But in the meantime, Ammo is only a few minutes from my house.